HER DARK PATH

The Trap

Chapter 23

The Trap

Monday morning arrived with an unusual tension in the air.

Students gathered in small groups around the Faculty of Business, whispering among themselves.

Some looked shocked.

Others looked curious.

As Nadia walked toward the building, conversations suddenly stopped.

The moment she passed, the whispers began again.

She didn't react.

She simply continued walking.

Behind her calm expression, however, she was already observing everyone around her.

Something happened.

And someone wants me to notice it.

"Nadia!"

Ethan hurried toward her.

He looked unusually serious.

"Morning."

"Morning."

He hesitated before speaking.

"Have you checked your student email today?"

She shook her head.

"No."

"You should."

"Why?"

"I don't know if it's a mistake..."

"...or someone is trying to cause trouble."

Nadia immediately took out her phone and logged into her university email.

Her brows furrowed.

There was an anonymous message.

Attached to it were several photographs.

Pictures of her.

Some were taken outside the university.

Others near her apartment.

Even the café where she and Ethan had celebrated after their presentation.

Whoever had taken them...

Had been watching her for days.

Below the pictures was a single sentence.

WHO IS NADIA HAYES?

Ethan looked at her carefully.

"Have you seen these before?"

She slowly shook her head.

"No."

He frowned.

"This isn't normal."

"No..."

"It isn't."

Even though her heart remained steady, Nadia knew one thing.

The people watching her were becoming reckless.

And reckless people made mistakes.

Across the campus...

Vanessa stood beneath a tree, secretly watching Nadia.

A slow smile appeared on her face.

"The first step is complete."

Clara walked over.

"You sent those emails?"

Vanessa nodded.

"I didn't accuse Nadia of anything."

"I only made people curious."

"What if Ethan finds out?"

"He won't."

"And even if he does..."

She smiled confidently.

"He'll start asking questions."

Later that afternoon, Ethan and Nadia met in the library.

The atmosphere between them felt different.

Not awkward.

Just... thoughtful.

Ethan closed his laptop.

"I've been thinking."

"About the email?"

He nodded.

"Someone has been following you."

"I know."

The words slipped out before Nadia could stop herself.

Ethan looked surprised.

"You knew?"

She quickly corrected herself.

"I meant..."

"I suspected."

"Those pictures couldn't have been taken in one day."

Ethan nodded slowly.

"You're right."

He looked directly into her eyes.

"If someone is bothering you..."

"You don't have to deal with it alone."

Nadia smiled.

"Thank you."

"I mean it."

"I know."

For a moment, neither of them spoke.

Then Ethan changed the subject.

"Let's finish reviewing our presentation."

Nadia smiled.

"Good idea."

As evening fell...

The young man in the black hoodie sat inside a parked car, watching Nadia's apartment through binoculars.

He picked up his phone.

"She's home."

A deep voice answered.

"Keep watching."

"Don't approach her."

"Just observe."

The call ended.

The young man sighed.

He still couldn't forget the day Nadia had confronted him.

Something about her...

Made him feel as though she could see straight through people.

Across the street, on the roof of another building...

A hooded figure stood silently.

Watching the watcher.

Neither of them realized...

They were both being observed.

The game had become a web of hunters, each trying to uncover the other's identity.

And somewhere in that web...

The truth was waiting.